ST. HELENA. 811 



and on the other overlooks an abrupt precipice, 

 from which however it is defended by a strong 

 stone balustrade, so that however fearful in 

 appearance, its only real danger lies in an acci- 

 dent which sometimes happens, that large frag- 

 ments detach themselves from the superincum- 

 bent rock, and roll down the precipice, carrying 

 before them every thing that might obstruct 

 their passage to the bottom. 



Having with some difficulty reached the 

 highest ground on the island, we found the 

 tropical heat changed into a refreshing cool- 

 ness, and enjoyed an extensive prospect over 

 the island, which presented a totally different 

 aspect from that under which it is viewed by 

 passing vessels. The sailor sees only high, 

 black, jagged, and desolate rocks, rising per- 

 pendicularly from the sea, and every where 

 washed by a tremendous surf, prohibiting all 

 attempts to land except at the single point of 

 St. James : his eye vainly seeks round the ada- 

 mant wall, the relief of one sprig of green ; not 

 a trace of vegetation appears, and Nature herself 

 seems to have destined the spot for a gloomy 

 and infrangible prison. From these heights, 



